Time lapse shot of the demolition of the Star Theatre in New York City. Produced by American Mutoscope and Biograph Company and preserved by the Library of Congress.


This movie is part of the collection: Short Format Films

Audio/Visual: Silent, Black and White
Keywords: actuality

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Carolyn Blake - - July 24, 2011
Subject: Moving look into the distant past
What captured me most in this film were the people. Thinking of them having their long ago lives as rich and complex as ours, and now all we can know of them are these moments immortalized on film...the women in their long black dresses, the people in early cars, and trams and buggies. Very touching and poignant.

Reviewer: Seto-Kaiba_Is_Stupid - - May 22, 2009
Subject: Nice Film
The Library of Congress says the building was built in 1861, long before this film was made.

Sad, but highly entertaining film.

Reviewer: plaza04433 - - May 19, 2009
Subject: Are you sure?
It looks to me that they are building the star theater and the film was made as a novelty.

If you look at the building it would have been no more than 8 years old if it where being demoleshed.

Still it is an interesting film.

Reviewer: Aitchondo - - January 15, 2009
Subject: Great Time Lapse Photography
One brick at a time!

Reviewer: Robin_1990 - - May 1, 2008
Subject: Demolition!!
I do wonder what it must of been like to of been a demolition man back then. It must of been a tough job.

Reviewer: Bob Capps - - July 15, 2006
Subject: A Trip Back in Timelapse
Fascinating time lapse photography of the demolition of a brick building, apparently one brick at a time. No crane swinging a lead ball here. I especially enjoyed seeing the awning pop open and shut on the side of the building in the left foreground.

Reviewer: bobair - - October 10, 2005
Subject: Record of a vanished time.
As with all things in life past or present nothing lasts forever.It is nice to see a clip of a time now so very long ago, even though it is the destruction of a building that once attacted people who like the theatre are now all gone.This is the earliest time lapse movie that i have ever seen, is it only one remaining from it's era ? An interesting watch just the same and great for history buffs or the plain curious.